A government committee next week could recommend deep cuts in Britain's military as a means of reducing the national budget, sources told The Daily Telegraph.

The Daily Telegraph said Saturday the cuts include cutting the number of troops in uniform by about 20,000 and mothballing a chunk of the army's armored vehicles.

The proposals are part of the Strategic Defense and Security Review and would save about 1 billion pounds ($1.5 billion) in the first year, or approximately one fifth of the current defense budget.

"This review is going to be painful, much worse than most people realize," a senior government source told the Daily Telegraph.

The newspaper said the scenario sees more civilians being used in administrative and support roles, and British troops being pulled out of Germany. Deployments to Afghanistan would last longer with less time between tours.

More funds would be shifted to special operations forces and so-called smart weaponry. The Royal Navy would likely still get two new aircraft carriers but its Trident submarines will have to be kept in service longer.

Say goodby to a nation.

djones520

09-11-2010, 12:02 PM

I gotta wonder if those extra 20,000 added to the unemployment doll was factored into those savings costs.

Bailey

09-11-2010, 12:03 PM

No worries the US will cover their asses again...:rolleyes:

warpig

09-11-2010, 12:05 PM

No worries the US will cover their asses again...:rolleyes:

A nation that spends so little on defence in this day and age is counting on the US to cover their asses.